HEAT IN HOUSE

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 28, 1 August 1940, Page 10

HEAT IN HOUSE

COAL THE CAUSE

POWERS OF COUNCIL

"TOO MANY GUINEA

PIGS"

The placidity of proceedings in the House of Representatives was upset last night when Supplementary Estimates of the Mines Department were being discussed in Committee Of Supply. These votes included £1200, the fees and expenses of three members of the Coal Mines Council which has been appointed under the Emergency Regulations.

Opposition members closely questioned the Minister of Mines (the Hon. P. C. Webb) regarding the powers and functions of the council, "and the answers provoked, Mr. A. E. Jull (National, Waipawa) to declare that they would not tolerate handing the industry over to a hierarchy, of outside people who could act without consulting Ministers responsible to Parliament. He moved, as a protest, that the vote of £1200 be reduced by £10.

Mr. W. A. Bodkin (National, Otago '.Central) protested against the Government handing over to a committee important powers* which should only be exercised by the Government itself. As he understood the Minister, this council could, order the dismissal of a mine manager, and close any mine. It was actually to exercise powers not conferred on Cabinet. "ONE MAN, ONE JOB." "There are too many guinea-pigs all over the country," said Mr. H. G. Dickie (National, Patea), who supported the amendment, and reminded the Government that although one of its principles was "one man, one job," it was giving a position to a person who held half a dozen other offices. "We are having State funds, handed out to friends of the Government," declared Mr. W. J. Broadfoot (National, Waitomo). < This allegation was promptly dealt with by the Chairman of Committees (Mr. R. McKeen), who told Mr. Broad-: foot that his statement suggested bribery and corruption, and if he proceeded on those lines he would be ordered to sit down. Mr. Broadfoot: We are protesting against men getting money from the Government who are already in wellpaid jobs. This gentleman was once a well-known supporter of the Communist Party, and he has been given the run of the radio. The coal-mine industry is being handed over to outside men. : MINISTER'S REPLY. The Minister replied that past interference with the coal-mining industry was the justification for a council of the kind recently appointed. Millions of tons of coal had been destroyed because there was no one with sufficient power or knowledge to deal with the improper working of coal seams. The council had to investigate the whole questi6n of.coal mining, and make recommendations to the Government how best to conduct the industry. Mr. W. J. Poison (National, Stratford): Only to make recommendations? That is all right. Mr. Webb assured the House, that the intention was to organise the* industry and to protect the coal seams, because millions of tons had been destroyed by mines being started by small companies which opened up seams and left them to be destroyed. There were mines which had been burning for 40 years because they were opened up and then deserted.

Mr. Poison: The- point at issue is simply the powers of the council. I agree that such a Commission would have saved this country a good deal in the past. If it is to make recommendations, I have no objection. ,

The Minister: The council's power is to 'recommend to the Minister, after making investigations. Mr. Bodkin: What will he do with his inspection staff in every mining district, quite capable of making investigations and more qualified to advise the Minister, than . this council?

Mr. Jull's amendment was rejected by 39 votes to 19, and the rapid progress of business on the Estimates was resurhed.:y-.